Abstract: An automated identification and configuration system for use with an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed. The system includes a first communication circuit that is attached to, or otherwise carried by, a detachable component associated with the IMD such as a medical lead. The communication circuit stores data such as model numbers, serial numbers, technical data, and/or calibration information that describes the additional component. This information may be transferred by the first communications circuit to a second communications circuit that is external to the additional component. This transferred data can be used to automatically configure the internal circuitry and connection functions of the IMD to properly interface with, and support, the additional component. For example, the data can be used to automatically adjust amplifier gains or other sensor circuitry, or to configure a connector block to properly couple to the component.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead including an inflatable member at a distal tip section, and a system of use, are disclosed. The inflation member is adapted to engage the walls of a cardiac vein or coronary artery to occlude the vessel. According to one aspect of the invention, the inflation member is formed of a bio-absorbable material. In another embodiment, the inflation member is a micro-porous material. The lead of the current invention may include a port located distal to the inflation member to deliver radiopaque dye or any other substance to a vessel when the inflation member is in the inflated state. This allows a fluoroscopic image of a patient's vascular system to be obtained while the lead is in place within a vessel. A perfusion lumen may be provided to allow a partial flow of blood to continue around the inflation member when the inflation member is occluding a vessel. In one embodiment, lead is provided with a lumen for receiving a stiffening member such as a stylet to aid in lead placement.

Abstract: A system for delivering a medical electrical lead within a coronary venous system that includes an introducer kit for establishing venous access to the coronary venous system and a plurality of delivery sheaths, each corresponding to a desired approach to a coronary sinus of the coronary venous system and insertable within the coronary venous system through the navigation pathway. A hemostasis valve is coupled to a delivery sheath of the plurality of delivery sheaths, and a guide wire is inserted within the lead lumen, guiding delivery of the distal tip of the medical electrical lead to a target site within the coronary venous system through the hemostasis valve and the delivery sheath. Subsequent to the distal tip being delivered to the target sight, the hemostasis valve is advanced over the connector of the medical electrical lead to remove the hemostasis valve from the medical electrical lead.

Abstract: A loading device for loading a guide wire within a medical electrical lead that includes a navigation portion, having an outer portion, and extending from a front end to a back end, and having an opening formed at the back end. An engagement cavity receives and properly orientates the lead distal tip to align the lumen of the lead with the opening of the navigation portion during the loading of the guide wire within the lead. A first side wall is spaced from a second side wall to form a slot extending along the outer portion from the front end to the back end of the navigation portion, and the guide wire is advanced through the slot as the lead having the guide wire loaded therein is removed from the loading device.

Abstract: An improved connection system for coupling a device such as a pacemaker, cardioverter, defibrillator, nerve stimulator, muscle stimulator, implantable monitor or other medical device to a medical lead is disclosed. The connection system includes a coupling member designed to couple to the proximal end of the lead. This coupling member, which includes an inner lumen sized to form a press fit around the proximal end of the lead body, may be of a generally tubular construction. This coupling member includes connector means to enable a connector pin at the proximal end of the lead to mechanically and electrically couple to a device. The connector means may further include means for coupling both mechanically and electrically to a ring connector on the proximal end of a multi-polar lead. An insertion member may also be provided to allow the lead to be more easily inserted within the inner lumen of the coupling member.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead is disclosed that is adapted for placement in the coronary sinus, or a branch vein thereof. The lead includes a first and second pace/sense electrode. A selection mechanism is provided to select either the first or the second electrode for use as a cathode, with the other electrode being selected as the anode. According to another aspect of the invention, a high-voltage coil electrode may be provided between the first and second electrodes. The coil electrode may be electrically coupled to the anode to increase the shadow area of the coil electrode.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead including an inflatable member at a distal tip section, and a system of use, are disclosed. The inflation member is adapted to engage the walls of a cardiac vein or coronary artery to occlude the vessel. According to one aspect of the invention, the inflation member is formed of a bio-absorbable material. In another embodiment, the inflation member is a micro-porous material. The lead of the current invention may include a port located distal to the inflation member to deliver radiopaque dye or any other substance to a vessel when the inflation member is in the inflated state. This allows a fluoroscopic image of a patient's vascular system to be obtained while the lead is in place within a vessel. A perfusion lumen may be provided to allow a partial flow of blood to continue around the inflation member when the inflation member is occluding a vessel. In one embodiment, lead is provided with a lumen for receiving a stiffening member such as a stylet to aid in lead placement.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead is disclosed having an inner lumen adapted to receive a stiffening member, and which is further adapted to deliver fluoro-visible media while the stiffening member is located within the inner lumen. According to one aspect of the invention, the stiffening member is a guide wire having an inner lumen. The inner lumen of the guide wire is used to deliver the contrast medium while the guide wire is in place within the lumen of the lead. In another embodiment, a stiffening member that is sized to occupy only a portion of the lumen of the lead is utilized. The non-occupied portion of the lumen is sized to be large enough to allow for the passage of fluoro-visible medium from an injection port at the proximal end of the lead to a delivery port at the distal end of the lead. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead includes a sealable member located at the distal end of the lumen of the lead to prevent the ingress of bodily fluids within this lead lumen.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead having an elongated insulative sheath carrying an elongated electrical conductor therein and having a drug-dispensing electrode assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongated conductor. The electrode assembly takes the form of a conductive electrode member having a distal electrode portion exposed exterior to the elongated sheath and a shank portion extending proximally from the distal portion and coupled to the elongated conductor. A drug release device is mounted around the shank proximal to the distal portion of the electrode member and the electrode member is provided with at least one bore extending from a surface of the release device to a surface of the distal portion of the electrode member.

Abstract: A guidewire placed lead employing a seal at its distal end in order to prevent entry of body fluid into the lead. The seal is particularly designed to allow radial expansion of the outer circumference of the seal due to passage of the guidewire through the seal, reducing the force required to pass the guidewire through the seal, while retaining a good sealing characteristics. The seal may extend a distance distally from the tip electrode, and include a hollow, resilient, cup-shaped seal member, configured so that the seal can readily expand radially as the guidewire passes through it. Alternatively, the seal may be located within the body of the electrode and the electrode configured so that it may be radially or laterally expanded, also allowing radial expansion of the seal during passage of the guidewire. In this case, the electrode may be rendered expandable by means of one or more slits arranged along the electrode body, extending from a point proximal to the guidewire seal.

Abstract: An introducer system for introducing a lead or catheter and a method of use. The introducer system includes an elongated introducer sheath which has a luer hub mounted to its proximal end through which a lead or catheter is introduced and a slitter for slitting the luer hub and the introducer sheath. The slittable luer hub takes the form of a conical or cylindrical member carrying a laterally extending tab adapted to engage internal threading on a female luer lock fitting and has a slittable portion angularly displaced from the tab. The slitter includes a blade, a handle carrying the blade, a mechanism for engaging the lead or catheter in the vicinity of the blade and a mechanism for engaging the lead or catheter proximal to the blade, configured such that the lead or catheter body when engaged by the slitter is angled proximal to the blade of the slitter.

Abstract: A cardiac pacing lead for use in the coronary sinus and coronary veins. The lead is provided with a lead body configured to exhibit a curved configuration along a distal portion thereof, induced to maintain a portion of the curved configuration solely by means of a portion of a polyurethane lead body formed to display the curved configuration and wherein the lead conductor is freely mounted within the segment. The curved configuration includes first and second arcuate segments together providing a single-plane curvature of approximately 180 degrees, separated by a generally straight segment, the first segment having a greater length and greater arc of curvature than the second segment.

Abstract: An implantable sensing device includes a sensing element and a mounting element. The mounting element has a first end and a second end with a longitudinal axis therethrough. The sensing element is positioned at the first end of the mounting element with the mounting element having a length that is adjustable along the longitudinal axis. The mounting element includes a sleeve having a first open end and a second open end with the longitudinal axis therethrough. The sensing element is positioned in the second open end and includes a lead body connected thereto extending through the second open end. The sleeve includes an outer sleeve member coupled for adjustment along the longitudinal axis with respect to an inner sleeve member. Further, the mounting element may include a flexible element about the first open end extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis and a flange element extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis from at least a portion of the second end.

Abstract: An arrangement for transvenously introducing and fixing a cardiac electrode at a cardiac implantation site. The arrangement includes a pusher having an elongated body of flexible material, which may be coupled with a cardiac lead adjacent the distal end of the cardiac lead and may be employed to advance the cardiac lead transvenously. The pusher is provided with an engagement mechanism which engages the distal end of the cardiac lead while the lead extends proximally along side the exterior surface of the pusher and which engages the distal end of the lead body when the pusher body is advanced distally and disengages from the cardiac lead body when the pusher is withdrawn proximally. The pusher body has sufficient column strength to be advanced through a patient's venous system to a desired implantation site within the heart.

Abstract: A cardiac pacing lead for use in the coronary sinus and coronary veins. The lead is provided with a lead body configured to exhibit a curved configuration along a distal portion thereof, induced to maintain a portion of the curved configuration solely by a portion of a polyurethane lead body formed to display the curved configuration and wherein the lead conductor is freely mounted within the segment The curved configuration includes first and second arcuate segments together providing a single-plane curvature of approximately 180 degrees, separated by a generally straight segment, the first segment having a greater length and greater arc of curvature than the second segment.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system including an implantable electronic device having multiple electrical connectors and an associated electrical lead also having a corresponding set of electrical connectors which engage with the connectors on the device. The lead has a connector assembly mounted to its proximal end, including the lead's electrical connectors and a mechanical connector. The device has a connector block with a bore extending therethrough sized to receive the connector assembly of the lead. A pulling tool is provided for pulling the lead connector assembly proximally in the bore of said connector block from a first position in which the lead's connector assembly is not fully inserted in the connector block to a second position in which said connector assembly is fully inserted in the connector block, the pulling tool being provided with a mechanical connector which engages with mechanical connector on the lead's connector assembly.